Without a dramatic change in local rainfall, Puslinch Fire Chief Steven Goode does not foresee lifting the township-wide open air fire ban in the near future.
The ban was implemented county-wide in early July, but some municipalities have now either lifted part or all of the ban. Since then, Puslinch partially lifted its ban to allow campfires.
In a presentation to council on July 20, Goode noted Wellington North’s lift of the ban – “but not all Wellington County municipalities are doing that.
“We are continuing with the fire ban … the last thing we want to do is flip flop between having and not having a ban … it confuses people.”
Goode said “when the vegetation improves and is not so dry, maybe we will consider lifting the ban. But based on what I am seeing with the weather, it could take some time.”
Councillor Matthew Bulmer later commented on the communicating of the local open air fire ban.
Bulmer said “I had an occasion to speak with a woman who lives in the home where I grew up – but I don’t want to say who.”
The conversation happened a few days after the ban was implemented.
“It turns out they were using their burn barrel that day and I advised them of the ban.”
“‘Nobody told me’ was the response,” Bulmer said.
After explaining the various methods used by the municipality to inform the public, “I was told – obviously none of them are working.”
Bulmer said he was doing his due diligence and bringing the matter forward.
One free pass
He asked if there was a means to make it easier for people who may not visit the website or read the Newspaper.
Goode said it might be possible to collect email addresses with online burn permit applications … “but the fact of the matter is that if a person with a burn permit is found to be burning materials … we simply ask them to put it out.”
Goode said there would be no charges attached when the individual had a burn permit.
Mayor Dennis Lever interjected “… the first time.”
